Published: Dec 18, 2025, 10:58 a.m. MST
A few members of the Utah Jazz took time out from their busy professional lives to deliver some much-appreciated cheer to a large group of children at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday afternoon in Salt Lake City.
Jazzmen Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and others teamed up with the Bear, the iconic Jazz mascot, to dish out pizza, gifts and lots of smiles. The group had a great time on and off the basketball court, playing games, dancing, cheering and receiving Christmas gifts.
Deseret News photojournalist Tess Crowley captured the happy faces, excitement and energy at the holiday party.
The Jazz Bear sits down with members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club as they eat pizza after playing basketball with Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Utah Jazz players Keyonte George, center, and Ace Bailey, left, talk with Malyk Yiel, 16, right, as they give away legos to members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club play basketball with Utah Jazz players Keyonte George, right, and Ace Bailey, not pictured, during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
The Jazz Bear, center, looks at the basketball as members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club play basketball with Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Brianna Garcia, 8, center, and other members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club perform a dance for Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
The Jazz Bear, right, and Utah Jazz players Keyonte George, left, and Ace Bailey, not pictured, play basketball with members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Dallas Velarde, 7, member of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, center, talks to Utah Jazz player Keyonte George, left, during a surprise holiday visit from George and Ace Bailey at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Brianna Garcia, 8, member of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, left, reacts to the Boys & Girls Club being gifted a PlayStation from Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Aiden Alvarez, 12, member of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, picks out legos gifted from Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Novah Jensen, 11, center, member of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, reacts to the Boys & Girls Club being gifted a PlayStation from Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Aiden Alvarez, 12, center, member of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club, picks out legos gifted from Utah Jazz players Keyonte George, right, and Ace Bailey, not pictured, during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Daniel Tadevosyan, 10, and other members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club play basketball with Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Krislyn Freeman, 7, right, looks at the Jazz Bear as other members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club perform a dance for Utah Jazz players Keyonte George and Ace Bailey during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Utah Jazz player Ace Bailey, left, and the Jazz Bear, right, set up legos to give out to members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club during a surprise holiday visit from Bailey and Keynote George at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News 
Members of the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club play basketball with Utah Jazz players Ace Bailey, center, and Keyonte George, not pictured, during a surprise holiday visit from the Jazz players at the Spence Eccles Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News